School Chef - North Yorkshire

Location: York, UK
Salary: £24,233 actual (FTE £27,514)
Contract Type: Permanent (subject to 6-month probation)
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, ideally 7:30am–3:30pm, term time only plus 10 days (40 weeks per year)
Start Date: September 2025

Are you a talented chef who thrives in a fast-paced kitchen and is passionate about creating healthy, delicious meals for children? We’re recruiting on behalf of a fantastic primary school in York looking for an experienced and enthusiastic School Head Chef to lead their kitchen team. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a vibrant school kitchen entering a new era of development.

About the Role:
The school is currently undergoing a full kitchen refurbishment (completion due November 2025). In the meantime, the Chef will run operations from a temporary on-site kitchen, supported by a committed kitchen team and leadership staff.

What’s on Offer:

• Annual salary: £24,233
• Daytime hours only – no weekends or evenings
• 12 weeks’ holiday per year
• A varied, fulfilling role with scope for creativity
• Free on-site parking
• A welcoming and supportive school community

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the school kitchen
• Prepare up to 250 healthy meals daily for pupils and staff
• Plan and create nutritious, appealing menus in line with school food standards
• Manage stock ordering and reduce food waste
• Maintain a 5-star hygiene rating
• Collaborate with senior leaders to enhance the food offering
• Supervise, train, and support kitchen team members

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience managing a busy kitchen, ideally in a school or similar setting
• A positive, can-do attitude with the ability to multi-task under pressure
• Sound knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety standards
• Creative flair and pride in delivering high-quality meals
• Professional, friendly, and committed to exceptional service

How to Apply for the School Chef Job:
If you're a motivated and experienced chef looking for a rewarding, term-time role where your creativity and leadership will make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to take the next step in your catering career!